RFP: Press Forward Chicago – Education Journalism 2026 Grant

RFP: Press Forward Chicago – Education Journalism 2026 Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Chicago Community Trust
Amount: US $10,000 - US $40,000
Last Updated: February 08, 2026

Summary

Overview

RFP: Press Forward Chicago – Education Journalism 2026 Chicago needs more education-focused reporters. With school board elections in November 2026, and recent drastic changes to education funding, the timing is critical to increase education reporting, and to amplify that work to those who need it. Press Forward Chicago is seeking to create a playbook around coverage areas that have seen a steep decline in reporters in recent years. These include education, immigration, healthcare, housing, the criminal legal system, and the environment. In 2025, Press Forward Chicago and a group of funders came together to create a funding pool specifically for increased education coverage. This coalition of funders includes Press Forward Chicago, The Chicago Community Trust, Crown Family Philanthropies, IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation and the Leading from the Front fund. Together, we have raised funds to launch a three-year education journalism plan that will start in 2026 with an editorial collaboration led by Chalkbeat Chicago. Need/Opportunity Statement This first phase of the collaboration will focus on the Chicago Board of Education election in November 2026, which will, for the first time, elect civilians in all 21 districts across the city. This project will take place from June to November 2026. Chalkbeat Chicago will lead collaborative efforts to cover the election across media outlets, including amplification of the work across marketing platforms, partnering with existing education reporters, supporting freelance and staff reporters who are new to education reporting, and laying the foundation for expanded collaboration in future years. Media organizations are invited to apply for $10,000 to $40,000 in grants for education journalism coverage in 2026. Goals & Outcomes Press Forward Chicago is based at The Chicago Community Trust and is part of a network of more than forty Press Forward chapters across the U.S. focused on supporting sustainable local news and information models. While a lot of emphasis for Press Forward Chicago is on shared services, new revenue and audience growth models, we are also leaning heavily into topic-based funding of media organizations. We believe that through the lens of specific subject matter, we can engage new funders and strengthen coverage areas that are critical to civic life and democracy. At the same time, we will create a healthier media network. The goal of this particular collaboration/grant program is to inform Chicagoans about the upcoming Chicago Board of Education election in November 2026. The main outcomes of this project will be a voter guide, distributed digitally and in print, and profiles of all candidates across 21 districts, in addition to ongoing coverage about the races. In the application, we ask that you report back on outcomes using Measures of Progress. Please limit the total number of Measures of Progress and indicators to five maximum to minimize the reporting burden. These are the types of grants available for this opportunity: Tier 1: There will be up to six grants of $40,000 to Chicago-based independent media organizations with a proven record of covering education, school board races, or similar policy issues in Chicago.Tier 2: There will be up to two grants of $15,000 each to media organization(s) with a proven record of training youth in media, to involve youth in covering the school board elections.Tier 3: There will be up to eight grants of $10,000-$15,000 for media organizations with limited education coverage experience but a willingness to attend trainings and cover these issues and the elections.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Examples of allowable expenses:Salaries for reporters, editors, and other relevant staffStipends for individual education reportersFreelancers/internships/fellowshipsEvents, such as candidate forums and audience outreachProject expensesProfessional development related to education journalism or skill-building for the. participating journalistsPrinting or distribution expensesOverhead/indirectThe Chicago Community Trust limits overhead/indirect to 15% of the total budget.Organization must agree to work with Chalkbeat Chicago as the project coordinator and send representatives to all related meetings.Organization must serve audiences in the city of Chicago. Because this project is focused on Chicago Public Schools.In 2027, we will offer another education journalism funding opportunity that is open to beats outside CPS.The Trust funds nonprofit agencies with evidence of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are not classified as private foundations. We also accept applications from agencies that have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

Ineligibility

Outlets that primarily serve Chicago suburbs are not eligible at this time.